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recognised many people from his previous life. Subsequently, he was recognised as the
reincarnation of the 9th abbot Phuntsho Dorji earning reverence from the people of the
villages. His formal education in Buddhist studies began at the age of four. He was taught
by his father and paternal uncle Lam Ngawang Tenzin. He was bright and grasped the
teachings very quickly.

Alongside his uncle Lam Ngawang Tenzin, he received empowerment and oral
transmission of Buddhist canon, Kanjur Chenmo, Dham-ngak Zoe and Jigling Kabum from
Dilgo Khentse Tashi Peljor. In 1980, he was ordained as a monk in the Central Monastic
Body where he learnt the Kagyud tradition for five years. At the age of 14 in 1987, he was
sent to Gangteng Shedra where he spent more than 10 years and completed his higher
education in 2000. While in Gangteng, he received complete teaching of Pedling tradition
with empowerment, oral transmission, pith instruction and upadesha from Ganteng
Trulku Rinpoche who then accepted him as his heart son.

He received teachings on Sarma tradition and particulary Thri Yeshi Lama (a guide to
Dzongchen practice by Jigme Lingpa) from Jetsun Tenzin Dendup, 68th Je-Khenpo of
Bhutan and contemplated on these. Thereafter, as advised by Gangten Trulku Rinpoche
he went to Drepung Loselling Shedra and studied tshedma ((valid cognition) for two
years. He also received pith instruction from other renown Sarma and Nyingma masters
such as Lam Ngawang Tenzin and Jadrel Sangay Dorji. Chabje Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche,
Sixty seventh Je Khenpo, HH Thinlay Lhundrup, Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup, Jadrel Sangay
Dorji Rinpoche.

In 2002, he received complete teachings on Dorling tradition from Aja Lama Zhenphen
Drodul Dorji Tenzin (1921-2005) who formally recognized him as the true reincarnation
of Lam Phuntsho Dorji, the ninth abbot of Busa Wangdue Goenpa and issued a certificate
of recognition. His second name Gyeltshen was added to his first name Sonam. Hence his
name became Sonam Gyeltshen. He was then entrusted with full responsibility to uphold
the Dorlji Lingpa tradition as his representative.

In 2003, he entered into three-year retreat in Kunzang Choling meditation centre in
Gangteng. After completing his retreat, he served Gangteng Monastery shouldering
important responsibility in various capacities rising up to the positions of secretary and
treasurer.

In 2008, coinciding with the three important auspicious occasions taking place in the
country- enthronment of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, completion of 100 years of monarchy,
and institution of Democratic Constitutional Monarchy, Khentrul was conferred the title
of Pedling Khenpo (khenthog dhangpa) by Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche.

A year later in 2009, his paternal uncle Lam Ngawang Tenzin abdicated the seat and he
was enthroned as his successor. Since then, he took charge of Busa Wangdue Goenpa
Buddhist College, Tshengepokto Duepung Zilnoenling Elementary School, Dangchu Pema
Shedrup Dhargay Khandroling Nunnery, Bjena Tashi Tokha Ugyen Norbuling Monastery,
Rabutse Terney Gyel Pheling Retreat Centre and Rubesa Sherling Institute of Indigenous
studies, and contributed immensely in strengthening and propagating the Dorji Lingpa
tradition.

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